Police learned of Bernice Medina's death at 8 a.m. on Friday when a female friend of the woman came to the Lakewood Police Department. She told officers she'd received a call from "Tim" Baca using Medina's cell phone.

The woman said Baca told her she needed to "come over and pray" at the Everett Court apartment where Baca lived with his mother.

The woman went to the apartment and "saw that Bernice was dead," according to a police affidavit supporting Baca's arrest. Baca, who was at the apartment, began rambling about how he had killed his mother, the friend told police.

Baca told his mother's friend "that Bernice was growling and snorting so he slapped her face," the affidavit said. The friend left the apartment and went to report the killing at the police department.

Police responded to apartment 104 at 1375 Everett Court, and a police sergeant reached Baca on the telephone. Baca said he would leave the apartment in a few minutes, but he was in the bathroom.

Baca told the sergeant that "he needed to tell him something. Tim advised that he and his mother have had a tumultuous relationship his entire life, and over the last six to eight years it has declined," the affidavit said.

"Tim stated tonight he and his mom were in a heated argument, and it became apparent to him that she was possessed by demons. Tim stated he needed to 'make things right with God,' and he 'killed her.' Tim said he was sorry, but it had to be done," the affidavit said.

The sergeant told Baca that he needed to come out of the apartment. Baca replied that he was still in the bathroom, but he would be out in five minutes. The sergeant told Baca he needed to be outside in three minutes.

"I need you to know that I am sorry for what happened. I need to make things right with God," Baca told the sergeant, according to the affidavit.

Police fearing that Baca might harm himself forced their way into the apartment. They found the body of a woman lying on the bed in the only bedroom in the apartment, the affidavit said. Police also found two knives lying on the floor of the apartment.

Baca had escaped from the apartment.

Police executed a search warrant at the apartment, and found a blood stain on the carpet in the living room and blood in the bathroom sink, the affidavit said.

"Bernice was lying on the lone bed in the apartment in an obviously staged position. Her hands were clasped on her lap and her head was centered on the pillows. Bernice had what appeared to be dried blood on her face and some blood on her hands," the affidavit said.

Investigators spoke with family members who said that "Tim has a violent temper and was very controlling of Bernice," the affidavit said.

Baca's sisters said because of Tim's controlling behavior, they had not had contact with their brother or mother in two years.

The sisters also told police "they feared for their mother's safety because of Tim's temper and drug use."

An autopsy by the Jefferson County Coroner's Office found that Bernice Medina had bruising, cuts on her head and face that were consistent with being "repeatedly struck."

She also had three fractured ribs, her nose appeared to be broken and there was extensive bruising on her shoulders and arms.

The coroner also found she had trauma-induced bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin tissues that cover the brain. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Lakewood Police released an alert Friday evening saying that Baca was a wanted homicide suspect.

Lakewood and Denver officers arrested Baca at about 9 p.m. at his father's home in the 1300 block of King St. in Denver. Two Lakewood officers suffered minor injuries during the arrest.

Baca is being held on investigation of first-degree murder in Jefferson County Jail without bond. He appeared Monday in Jefferson County court, where he was advised of his rights. He’s scheduled to appear in court on April 4 for the filing of formal charges.

Baca has a long criminal history in Colorado, including arrests for assault, menacing with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, trespassing criminal mischief, disturbing the peace and obstructing police.

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